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Greinke named AL Player of the Week

Greinke named AL Player of the Week

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By Tom Singer
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MLB.com |

Zack Greinke, the Kansas City All-Star right-hander who capped a brilliant week with Sunday's one-hitter in Seattle, has been named the American League Player of the Week presented by Bank of America for the period ending August 30.

Greinke went 2-0 with a 1.05 ERA in two starts last week, leading Major League pitchers with 20 strikeouts and 17 innings.

In a 6-2 win over Cleveland on Tuesday, the 25-year-old struck out a franchise-record 15, breaking Mark Gubicza's standard of 14 set 21 years ago.

Then came Sunday's 3-0 gem against the Mariners, in which he retired the final 22 men he faced following a second-inning single by Kenji Johjima.

The double feats made Greinke the fourth pitcher since 1900 to follow a 15-strikeout game with a one-hitter, matching Vida Blue (1971), Randy Johnson (1998) and Pedro Martinez (1999).

With 202 strikeouts for the season, Greinke becomes the fourth pitcher in Royals history to reach that level.

Greinke became a two-time winner of the weekly award this season, having been honored earlier for the period ending April 20.

Other noteworthy performances considered were turned in by the Angels' Kendry Morales (AL-leading .462 average, with 11 RBIs); the Rangers' Ian Kinsler (five RBIs and four steals); and Boston center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (franchise-record 55th stolen base, while tying for the league lead with 12 hits).

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.